At the end of the APEC trade summit in China , U.S. President Barack Obama announced a climate change agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping that would cut both countries ' greenhouse gas emissions by close to a third over the next two decades .

Under the deal , the United States would cut its carbon emissions between 26-28 % -- from levels established in 2005 -- by 2025 . China would peak its carbon emissions no later than 2030 and would also increase the use of non-fossil fuels to 20 % by 2030 .

`` As the world 's two largest economies , energy consumers and emitters of greenhouse gases , we have a special responsibility to lead the global effort against climate change , '' Obama said Wednesday in a joint press conference with Xi .

Obama said he hopes the announcement will spur other nations to tackle climate change .

`` We hope to encourage all major economies to be ambitious -- all countries , developing and developed -- to work across some of the old divides , so we can conclude a strong global climate agreement next year , '' Obama said .

The White House said the ultimate target is to `` achieve deep economy-wide reductions on the order of 80 % by 2050 . ''

A senior administration official calls the goals both `` ambitious and achievable , '' but also acknowledged that U.S. domestic politics could put a damper on the announcement . Saying `` leading climate deniers '' in the GOP might try to stop the initiative , the official hinted the President may act alone if necessary .

`` Congress may try to stop us , but we believe that with control of Congress changing hands we can proceed with the authority we already have . '' The official added , `` This is really the crusade of a narrow group of people who are politically motivated and have made this a cause celebre , but we believe we will be successful . ''

The administration hopes to sell the plan back home by touting the anticipated savings on energy costs . `` Consumers and businesses will save literally billions of dollars '' a senior administration official said . The plan offers initiatives and incentives to develop more solar and wind power across both countries , the official said .

Another official said the agreement `` wo n't all fall together in five minutes , '' but hopes this will demonstrate to other nations that working together to reduce carbon emissions would prove that `` we can work together to enhance deployment of sustainable clean technologies . ''

The White House said the announcement marks the first time China has agreed to cut its carbon emissions , and said the Chinese are calling for `` an energy revolution '' that would include a broad economic reform program that would address air pollution .

China has agreed to provide an `` additional 800-1 ,000 gigawatts of nuclear , wind , solar and other zero emission generation capacity by 2030 , more than all the coal-fired power plants that exist in China today and close to total current electricity generation capacity in

During Obama 's visit , the Chinese government closed factories and gave employees time off to reduce car traffic and , ultimately , emissions in Beijing . The reduction of smog and the appearance of blue skies was noted by media throughout the APEC Summit .

Another senior administration official said that historically , the United States and China have often been seen as antagonists , so this `` should send a powerful message , '' and `` will usher in a new day , where the U.S. and China can work as partners . ''

On top of historic climate change agreement , Obama and Xi also agreed on the importance of cybersecurity , the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula , strengthening military relations and increasing trade .

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Obama : We have a special responsibility to lead the effort against climate change

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As trade summit ends , President Obama announces deal with China

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Countries agree to cut carbon emissions by 2025

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Senior administration official calls goals both `` ambitious and achievable ''